The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a historic response to their Game 1 loss, blowing out the Denver Nuggets 149-106 to level their Western Conference semifinal series at 1-1, MySportDab Reports.
Fueled by urgency and offensive firepower, the top-seeded Thunder exploded for a record-breaking 87 points in the first half—the most ever in a playoff first half—surpassing the Cleveland Cavaliers’ previous record of 86 set in the 2017 NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the charge with 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line. “We came out here desperate,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “Going down 0-2 wasn’t an option.”
Jalen Williams contributed 17 points while Chet Holmgren added a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, plus two blocks and two steals. Eight Thunder players finished in double figures as the team tied Milwaukee’s all-time record for most points in any half of a playoff game—set in 1978 against Denver.
The Nuggets, fresh off a Game 1 comeback led by Nikola Jokic’s 42 points, were overwhelmed from the start. Jokic was limited to 17 points with six turnovers before fouling out late in the third quarter. Russell Westbrook led Denver with 19 points, but the Thunder led by as many as 49 in a one-sided affair.
In the East, the New York Knicks stunned the defending champion Boston Celtics once again, erasing a 20-point deficit to win 91-90 and take a 2-0 series lead. Just like in Game 1, the Knicks surged late—this time behind Mikal Bridges, who scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial steal on Jayson Tatum’s final drive.
Josh Hart scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and 17 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson chipped in 17 and hit the go-ahead free throws with 14.1 seconds left.
Boston, led by 20 points each from Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, collapsed in the fourth, missing 14 straight shots. “They made the necessary plays to win,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. “We didn’t.”
Game 3 shifts to New York on Saturday, with the Knicks firmly in control.
